Preview — Russia
by Abraham Ascher

Russia: A Short History

This concise and informative volume covers the entire sweep of Russian history, from the earliest settlers to the state of this complex country at the end of the 20th century. It pays particular atte ntion to the events of the last 300 years, beginning with the reign of Peter the Great, before continuing to chart the development of economic, social and political institutioThis concise and informative volume covers the entire sweep of Russian history, from the earliest settlers to the state of this complex country at the end of the 20th century. It pays particular atte ntion to the events of the last 300 years, beginning with the reign of Peter the Great, before continuing to chart the development of economic, social and political institutions right up to the fall of the Communists in the 20th century. At the centre of the book is the highly topical theme of national identity, bringing Russian history to life and heightening its relevance for students, travellers and interested readers alike....more

Community Reviews

I don't know how this book managed this: making thousands of years of Russian history interesting and understandable to me. This is in part because Russian history IS so very interesting and chaotic. The other part, as my Russian friends will probably want me to realize, is that it has been majorly condensed, important elements left out, etc...it is, after all, only 252 pages long.

All I know is I feel much more knowledgable than I did before I read it. I don't feel confused, or manipulated by iI don't know how this book managed this: making thousands of years of Russian history interesting and understandable to me. This is in part because Russian history IS so very interesting and chaotic. The other part, as my Russian friends will probably want me to realize, is that it has been majorly condensed, important elements left out, etc...it is, after all, only 252 pages long.

All I know is I feel much more knowledgable than I did before I read it. I don't feel confused, or manipulated by ideology--the writer I think made a pretty fair attempt to address the East vs. West tug of war that has always happened there, will continue to happen.

I think this book especially puts Putin into perspective, and the people who continue to support him. I see the Russians this way: they are an incredibly intelligent and deep thinking people, but they are also used to bearing pain and keeping their large and soulful thoughts to themselves, or deflecting them into the arts. Part of the Russian need to feel longing and pain as a part of their character, or something. It is a land of beauty, creativity, and strong patriotism.

The nasty side of Russia is its continued ineptness at practical solutions for its society, its inevitable corruption that has morphed through various government systems and leaders. The workers have always been used, and they retaliate by dragging their feet and succumbing to corruption. Sometimes it feels in this book that the government changes in name only: idealized leaders hold centralized power for long periods of time, opposition be damned. Russians are more susceptible, I think to being attracted to the cult of personality, whether it is a tzar, Rasputin,Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev , Brezhnev, Yeltsin or Putin. They want the devil they know, I think, fearing above all else the instability that has returned again and again to wreck their country. They will believe against hope.

Anyone who thinks that the Russians are going to become more Westernized or Americanized in the coming years needs to read this book and some Russian tea leaves. Although oil is presently holding up the Russian economy for some lucky Russians, the state of affairs for many others is not so nice. Russians are immigrating west in droves--probably eliminating more of the liberalizing elements that could make Russia a better place. Putin has learned the Russian leadership game that a title bears little meaning: he has been ruling Russia as its head for something like 18 years --bouncing between the presidency and prime minister office (sometimes substituting in Medvedev as a placeholder) : is it small wonder that in the US the average person has no idea what office runs the show in Russia--no office, it's Putin.

Russia will be Russia, and although the internet and other Western influences will probably keep it from sinking into the horrors of Stalinism, it's doubtful it will assimilate with the West for the sake of world peace. Putin, like many of his countrymen is a competitive man--he wishes us to know Slavic greatness. ...more

I understand that covering over a thousand years of history in 250 pages is a real challenge. I think the author misses the mark for other reasons.

The chapters on the Tsars often twist in time. Five pages after a Tsar has died, well into a new reign, the book suddenly goes back to the prior Tsar, without any reason or linkage to the new subject.

There is a lack of footnotes (19 for the whole book) which, when the author challenges widely held assumptions, does not lend creI rate this "It was OK".

I understand that covering over a thousand years of history in 250 pages is a real challenge. I think the author misses the mark for other reasons.

The chapters on the Tsars often twist in time. Five pages after a Tsar has died, well into a new reign, the book suddenly goes back to the prior Tsar, without any reason or linkage to the new subject.

There is a lack of footnotes (19 for the whole book) which, when the author challenges widely held assumptions, does not lend credence to some of his thoughts.

He discusses Catherine II (the Great) who ruled during the Age of Enlightenment and is credited with some reforms. He states that "Catherine merely paid lip service to the principles of enlightenment" His example is the Pugachev rebellion (1774). But in describing it, he notes that Catherine refused to let Pugachev be tortured, and that he was executed before his body was dismembered (Dismemberment while alive was the punishment for treason). There is ample evidence that she tried, with some successes, to curb some of the army's and nobles excesses.

Other reviewers have noted the tone change in the section on Vladimir Putin. This is an added section in the 2nd edition. Although I wouldn't challenge any of his facts about Putin, it is too editorial a tone for a "history".

Also in need of some editing cleanup. The Organic Staute of 1832 under Nicolas I says: "the kingdom of Poland shall never cease to be an integral part of our empire - and that they shall henceforth form with the Russians one single nation, one fraternal people."

Poland was part of an indivisible Russia, not an "invisible part" as the book reads....more

A whistle stop of Russian history (not surprising when trying to fit 1000 years into 300 pages). Mr Ascher does a good job of trying to keep everything straight, although as you can imagine there are a lot of different names some of which are very similar (3 tsar Alexanders in a row seems a touch excessive) which can get confusing.A useful oversight and jumping off point to explore particular periods in more detail. I am turning to Orlando Figes' A people's century next for more on the revolutioA whistle stop of Russian history (not surprising when trying to fit 1000 years into 300 pages). Mr Ascher does a good job of trying to keep everything straight, although as you can imagine there are a lot of different names some of which are very similar (3 tsar Alexanders in a row seems a touch excessive) which can get confusing.A useful oversight and jumping off point to explore particular periods in more detail. I am turning to Orlando Figes' A people's century next for more on the revolution, but also want to return to the Napoleonic campaigns when I get the chance.The version I read was republished very recently in 2017 and the final chapter attempts to summarise recent developments (up to and including Trump becoming president). Whilst history requires a certain amount of hindsight and this chapter does not pretend to be definitive, it does provide a useful summary of recent events - and a slightly scary glimpse of our future and a potential 2nd cold war....more

Russia in particular it has been to the two countries which have always been important to me: Israel and Iran. I have often wondered why it was able to defeat Iran on so many occasions in the 19th century, and why it played such an important role in Israel's history, both before and after the founding of the state in 1948. This book, provides short, yet informative and concise account of Russia's history from the Mongol invasion until very recently. Its easy to read, yet full of useful informatiRussia in particular it has been to the two countries which have always been important to me: Israel and Iran. I have often wondered why it was able to defeat Iran on so many occasions in the 19th century, and why it played such an important role in Israel's history, both before and after the founding of the state in 1948. This book, provides short, yet informative and concise account of Russia's history from the Mongol invasion until very recently. Its easy to read, yet full of useful information. Four out of five. Recommend this book...more

This book was exactly what I was looking for. It gave me basics about the history and current politics of Russia. i feel that I know have a much better insight to this country and what topics about it I might wish to look into further. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who just wants more information about Russia and how it came to be, the things it has gone through, and perhaps how they may look at Western cultures today. It was an easy read and made comparisons through out to whereThis book was exactly what I was looking for. It gave me basics about the history and current politics of Russia. i feel that I know have a much better insight to this country and what topics about it I might wish to look into further. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who just wants more information about Russia and how it came to be, the things it has gone through, and perhaps how they may look at Western cultures today. It was an easy read and made comparisons through out to where western cultures were in terms of politics and development....more

Excellent concise history of Russia. It turns out that I knew almost nothing about Russia; it wasn't really taught in school and I wouldn't have had the patience at the time. But the social movements, the boldness of leaders, the ever-present instability-- it's amazing.

Russia - A short history represents a balanced, complete and yet compact history of Russia in English covering the period from the the rise of Kiev Rus to ~2008. If the Putin era (and to a lesser extent the Yeltsin years) is important to you, you have to look elsewhere. First because the years after 2008 is not included and 2nd because the period from 1996-2008 is the weakest part of Ascher's book.

When I give "Russia - a short History" 4 stars, it should be interpreted as the average of 3 starsRussia - A short history represents a balanced, complete and yet compact history of Russia in English covering the period from the the rise of Kiev Rus to ~2008. If the Putin era (and to a lesser extent the Yeltsin years) is important to you, you have to look elsewhere. First because the years after 2008 is not included and 2nd because the period from 1996-2008 is the weakest part of Ascher's book.

When I give "Russia - a short History" 4 stars, it should be interpreted as the average of 3 stars to his coverage from 1953 to 2008, 5 stars from 1725-1924 and 4 stars for the period up to 1725 and 1924-1953. If you first and for most are interested in the period from 1725 (meaning the period of Palace revelutions, the period leading up to Napoleon's invation of Russia, the revelution and the Russian Civil war and death of Lenin) this is a good choice. If the period after the death of Stalin in 1953 is important to you, you should look elsewhere. There is a very good choice of introductions to Russian history under ~350 pages.

Ascher delivers good and balanced portrats of of the rulers of Russia up to 1953. Ascheer describes the Intelligentsia anno the 1850s as a small, well-educated class, limited to the capitol that did not agree amongst themselves beyond being critical to the authorities and with limited appeal beyond their own class. I found the similarities with the Orange movement in Ukraine and the liberal opposition in Modern Russia, as one of the most interesting points in Ascher's book. On the other hand he writes very little about life on the countryside, despite that more than 90% of the population lived and died on the countryside in Imperial Russia. The colonisation of Siberia from late 1500 is hardly mentioned. The coverage of Everyday life in the Soviet period is also very limited.

According to Ascher 13,5 million Soviets were killed in WWII while according to Bartlett in "A history of Russia" it was between 25 and 27 million. Most other estimates I have seen is between 20 and 28 million (check Wikipedia for instance). I am sure Ascher have good arguments for his estimate, but it would be interesting to know how he counts as his estimate is unusual.

It is evidently put very limited work into the so called 2nd edition. The writer has added a few pages to the last chapter without going though the rest of the book to change references to contemporary Russia and changing from present to past in the chapter about the Yeltsin era. The last chapter has become very long (I struggle to understand why Khruschev and Putin is structured into the same chapter to begin with...) and delaing with too many different topics. If 1953-1991 and 1991 to 2008 where put into 2 chapters they would become twentysomething pages each like most of the other chapters.

All in all Ascher delivers a good introduction to Russian history, especially on the period from 1725 to 1924. ...more

I read this on the plane to Vilnius, Lithuania on the way to a Baltia/Russia tour.

It is a very short history, a whirlwind tour. The author is upfront and apologetic about this in the introduction, but we are talking about stuff like the Russian Revolution being covered in a couple pages, so you come away with sort of a vague idea of what happened and a rough idea of who some of the major characters are, but not much more.

That said, since I didn't have enough time to do the pre-trip research I usI read this on the plane to Vilnius, Lithuania on the way to a Baltia/Russia tour.

It is a very short history, a whirlwind tour. The author is upfront and apologetic about this in the introduction, but we are talking about stuff like the Russian Revolution being covered in a couple pages, so you come away with sort of a vague idea of what happened and a rough idea of who some of the major characters are, but not much more.

That said, since I didn't have enough time to do the pre-trip research I usually like to do, this was a great emergency backup and at least gave me enough of a background that I didn't feel like I was completely oblivious to the significance of what I was seeing at the major sites in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and when the tour guides were filling in the details it helped everything come together....more

Ascher provides an excellent overview of Russian history for the novice student, from the first emergence of a Kievan Rus state to the 2008 election of Dmitry Medvedev. He deftly examines each of the key cultural, political, and economic developments that have shaped Russia's history and organizes them in a coherent fashion. I would highly recommend this book to any student attempting for the first time to understand the complexities of Russian history. I used it as a companion guide to an introAscher provides an excellent overview of Russian history for the novice student, from the first emergence of a Kievan Rus state to the 2008 election of Dmitry Medvedev. He deftly examines each of the key cultural, political, and economic developments that have shaped Russia's history and organizes them in a coherent fashion. I would highly recommend this book to any student attempting for the first time to understand the complexities of Russian history. I used it as a companion guide to an introductory Russian History course, which complemented the course's required readings very nicely and supplied much needed additional details....more

Short and concise. An easy introduction to Russian history, especially the very earliest parts of the various Ruses (not sure if that is the correct term). However as usual with this sort of popular history the author can't help but talk about the present, especially the current president. To be honest that is not history and just an excuse to put a controversial figure on the front page to sell some books. We should wait a few years before judging the current government of Russia, when it is hiShort and concise. An easy introduction to Russian history, especially the very earliest parts of the various Ruses (not sure if that is the correct term). However as usual with this sort of popular history the author can't help but talk about the present, especially the current president. To be honest that is not history and just an excuse to put a controversial figure on the front page to sell some books. We should wait a few years before judging the current government of Russia, when it is history....more

After reading Jeffrey Toobin's "The Nine", I found it hard to enjoy this non-fiction book. It had all of the information, the eccentricities of Russian Czars, the names of the revolutionaries and every other Russian fact you could hope for, but it didn't present it in an interesting way. It felt like a glorified textbook--it even had diagrams similar to those you might find in a history class textbook. Absorbing information from a book is incredibly difficult if it doesn't want to be absorbed. EAfter reading Jeffrey Toobin's "The Nine", I found it hard to enjoy this non-fiction book. It had all of the information, the eccentricities of Russian Czars, the names of the revolutionaries and every other Russian fact you could hope for, but it didn't present it in an interesting way. It felt like a glorified textbook--it even had diagrams similar to those you might find in a history class textbook. Absorbing information from a book is incredibly difficult if it doesn't want to be absorbed. Even though Russia: A Short History can talk the talk, it definitely can not walk the walk. ...more

My bother found this book accidentally at a travel , and once he knew I was interessed in Russias history , gave me as a gift.Its an absolut clearful lecture to comprehhend the Russian history. The sequence of Tzars and leaders was very well displayed, with good descriptions about each one of them , their accomplishments and failures. At all , I think it is very resumed and bring me some superficial impressions , for example at the chapter about Catherine the Great.My bother found this book accidentally at a travel , and once he knew I was interessed in Russia´s history , gave me as a gift.It´s an absolut clearful lecture to comprehhend the Russian history. The sequence of Tzars and leaders was very well displayed, with good descriptions about each one of them , their accomplishments and failures. At all , I think it is very resumed and bring me some superficial impressions , for example at the chapter about Catherine the Great....more

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first foray into history recently and it wasn't too heavy or overly detailed. It provided a free-flowing account and really helped me to understand Russia better. It also whet my appetite for learning more European and Asian history. I think my only criticism is the free use of terms that the general reader may not know, so I had to keep Google handy, but overall it was very interesting.

I am looking to read this summer a good amount of Russian literature, so I figured I would start with a little history. This book ended up providing me with a broad, yet shallow idea of Russia's history from about the 9th century through present day. Very dry at times I think it may actually be a good book as a supplemental reading for a Russian Histroy class. Not one I would recommend to people who are not interested in Russian history.

Russia and Russian history continue to be fascinating to me. I think the author's decision to quote Winston Churchill on his perception of the country is indeed accurate. To the merit of the author, he manages to cover so much of Russia's past in so few pages. However, at times I was left wanting more details, and at others, wanting less. Despite a hard balance, I would recommend this book to others wishing to learn more on Russia. I am only further encouraged to read more on this subject.

The content is pretty good, but it's written in the poorest way possible. I was astonished when I discovered that this is not the first edition. The book is poorly written and poorly edited. The information is quite interesting, but a high school student could have put it together in a better way. If you have high standards when it comes to your readings, this one might not be for you.

This is the first book on Russian history I have read, and in approx. 300pgs, Ascher did a good job of covering the basics. A daunting challenge to write Russian history in so few pages, he gives you enough to decide if you want to probe deeper into the fascinating subject of Russian history.

A brilliant account of the turbulent history of Russian - from the time of Kievan Rus to Putin's Russian Federation, it's a detailed account of the most important events that have shaped a powerful nation.

both an easy and interesting read, the span of history paints a good background of how the people of Russia have tolerated ruthless rulers over the complete span of their history. I suggest pairing this book with a history on Joseph Stalin.

If all history was written this well, history books would fly off the shelves. It was clear and the information was presented in a way that was very easy to absorb. Ascher gets all the facts across without once dropping the thread of engaging narrative.

This book succeeds in condesing some Millenia years of history into a short 200 some page book. No doubt the an impossible challenge to accomplish, for general knowledge it is recommended yet in my opinion too breviated for extra interest. All in all it was OK.

This book is an excellent outline of Russian history - very detailed and statistic-oriented. My only complaint is that the section about Putin's presidency seems to be a bit one-sided. That aside, this book is definitely a must-read for anyone who has a genuine interest in Russia's past.

pretty good and easy read for a history book. And it has a good bit about Putin. Only neg. is that it could have a few more maps. Any friends want to read it I'll be glad to loan it. Will ask E'prise Public library if they would like it.

Abraham Ascher is Distinguished emeritus Professor of History at the Graduate School of the city University of New York. A highly respected scholar, he is the recipient of numerous awards, and the author of seven books and over thirty articles.

“Gargantuan figure. Almost seven feet tall, he had great physical strength and remarkable manual dexterity, and his interests were astonishingly broad. He claimed to have mastered fourteen trades as well as surgery and dentistry. When courtiers and servants took sick they tried to conceal it from Peter, for if he thought that medical attention was needed he would gather his instruments and offer his services. Among his personal belongings Peter left a sackful of teeth, testimony to his thriving dental practice. Peter was also a man with a strong sadistic streak. He delighted, for example, in forcing all his guests, including the ladies, to drink vodka straight – the way he liked it – and in large quantities. Johann Korb, the secretary of the Austrian embassy in Moscow from 1698 to 1699, described a particularly gruesome incident at one of these festive occasions: ‘Boyar Golowin has, from his cradle, a natural horror of salad and vinegar; so the Czar directing Colonel Chambers to hold him tight, forced salad and vinegar into his mouth and nostrils, until the blood flowing from his nose succeeded his violent coughing.”
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“Although the Mongols dominated Russia for close to two and a half centuries, from 1240 to roughly 1480, there is still no consensus among scholars about the extent to which they influenced the course of Russian”
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